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England Census: Further Information and Description (view source)
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''[[England]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] [[England Census]]'' | ''[[England]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] [[England Census]]'' | ||
There is a lot to learn about the census records. | There is a lot to learn about the census records. The following web sites provide more details: | ||
*[http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/RdLeaflet.asp?sLeafletID=326&j=1 Census Returns] leaflet number 99 produced by The National Archives in England <br> | *[http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/RdLeaflet.asp?sLeafletID=326&j=1 Census Returns] leaflet number 99 produced by The National Archives in England <br> | ||
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*[http://www.ukcensusonline.com/ UK Census Online] | *[http://www.ukcensusonline.com/ UK Census Online] | ||
Census | === The Census Takers === | ||
The man who collected the census details was called an 'enumerator'. He was assigned to visit a specific area or number of streets with the purpose of leaving a form that was to be filled out on the night of the census. Information about everyone in the house on that night – family, relatives, boarders and visitors – were to be listed. The enumerator went back in the next few days and gathered the forms. An article written by Guy Etchells explains in detail the [http://freepages.history.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~framland/census/directions.htm instructions given to enumerators]. | |||
=== Dates the Censuses Were Taken === | |||
Since one of the main goals was to avoid double counting people, the enumeration districts were small enough for an enumerator to complete his work in one day. Censuses were taken on specific dates. The following list gives the dates for each of the available census years: | |||
{| style="width: 343px; height: 99px;" | |||
|- | |||
| | |||
*1841: 6 June | |||
*1851: 30 March | |||
*1861: 7 April | |||
*1871: 2 April | |||
| | |||
*1881: 3 April | |||
*1891: 5 April | |||
*1901: 31 March | |||
*1911: 2 April | |||
|} | |||
=== Arrangement of the Census<br> === | |||
Census returns are arranged in columns. Column titles are:<br> | |||
*Place or street address | *Place or street address | ||
*Name of each person living in the abode on the night of the census | *Name of each person living in the abode on the night of the census | ||
*Relationship to the head of the household | *Relationship to the head of the household | ||
*Age and sex, arranged by males and females<br> | |||
*Profession, trade or employment | *Profession, trade or employment | ||
*Where born | *Where born | ||
=== Identifying Terminology<br> === | |||
A number of terms are on a census page. Here are a few.<br> | A number of terms are on a census page. Here are a few.<br> | ||
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*Page and folio numbers | *Page and folio numbers | ||
=== Relationships Given in the Census === | |||
Relationships are important when putting a family unit together. The most oft-used relationships in the census were:<br> | Relationships are important when putting a family unit together. The most oft-used relationships in the census were:<br> | ||
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|} | |} | ||
<br> | === Markings Used in the Census === | ||
Most of the census records have various marks and checks. These were used by the government workers to collect statistics. The census collector drew a single diagonal line ( / ) after the last name in a family or household and a double diagonal line ( // ) after the last name in a building or housing unit. So a female servant (F.S.) or male servant (M.S.), who was not a member of the family with which he/she was residing, might have a single line before their name and a double line after the name. | |||
=== Ages in the 1841 Census<br> === | |||
The census takers were instructed to give the exact ages of children but to round the ages of those older than 15 down to a lower multiple of 5. For example, a 59-year-old person would be listed as 55. Not all census enumerators followed these instructions. Some recorded the exact age; some even rounded the age up to the nearest multiple of 5.<br> | |||
Learn more about English censuses by taking the FamilySearch online lesson about [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/Library/Education/frameset_education.asp?PAGE=education_research_series_online.asp%3FActiveTab=2 Census Records], and reading [http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~framland/acts/1840CensusAct.htm A copy of the Act for Taking an Account of the Population of Great Britain [w10 August 1840]. <br> | |||
Enumerators recorded information in varying ways. Here are some of them.<br> | <br> Enumerators recorded information in varying ways. Here are some of them.<br> | ||
*Listing the given name first followed by the surname. | *Listing the given name first followed by the surname. | ||
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For your information, the 1911 census is the most recent one available to the public.<br><br> | For your information, the 1911 census is the most recent one available to the public.<br><br> | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:England]] [[Category:Beginners]] | ||